COTS Archives - Universe Today

Private Cygnus Cargo Carrier departs Space Station Complex

18 Feb , 2014 by Ken Kremer

Following a picture perfect blastoff from NASA’s frigid Virginia spaceport and a flawless docking at the International Space Station (ISS) in mid-January, the privately built Cygnus cargo resupply vehicle has completed its five week long and initial operational station delivery mission and departed the facility early this morning, Tuesday, Feb. 18. The Expedition 38 crewmembers […]

Doubly Historic Day for Private Space: Cygnus docks at Station & Next Gen Falcon 9 Soars

30 Sep , 2013 by Ken Kremer

The Cygnus cargo spacecraft is just a few feet away from the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 during rendezvous and berthing on Sept 29, 2013. Credit: NASA Updated – See Falcon 9 launch video below[/caption] Today (Sept. 29) was a doubly historic day for private spaceflight! And a boon to NASA as well! Early this morning […]

How to Spot Commercial Cygnus Craft Chasing ISS for Sept. 22 Coupling

20 Sep , 2013 by Ken Kremer

After launching to orbit atop the Antares rocket on Sept. 18, the first ever Cygnus cargo spacecraft is chasing the ISS and set to dock on Sept 22. Until then you have the opportunity to track it in the night skies. This full scale, high fidelity mockup of the Orbital Sciences/Thales Alenia Cygnus gives a […]

How to See the Historic Antares/Cygnus Launch to Space Station on Sept. 18

16 Sep , 2013 by Ken Kremer

Top of the Rock – New York City Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo spacecraft approximate launch trajectory view as should be seen from atop Rockefeller Center, NYC, on Sept. 18, 2013 at 10:50 a.m. EDT – weather permitting – after blastoff from NASA Wallops, VA. Credit: Orbital Sciences See more Antares launch trajectory viewing graphics […]

Antares Maiden Soar Pierces Virginia Sky and delivers NASA SmartPhone Pioneer Nanosats to Orbit

24 Apr , 2013 by Ken Kremer

The privately developed Antares rocket built by Orbital Sciences Corp. successfully blasted off on its maiden test flight from the shores of Virginia on April 21 at 5 p.m. EDT from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A at NASA Wallops – thereby inaugurating the new commercial space race and delivered a pioneering trio of low cost […]

Antares Rocket Erected at Virginia Pad for Inaugural April 17 Launch – Photo Gallery

7 Apr , 2013 by Ken Kremer

1st fully integrated Antares rocket – decaled with huge American flag – stands firmly erect at seaside Launch Pad 0-A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on 6 April 2013 following night time rollout. Maiden Antares test launch is scheduled for 17 April 2013. Later operational flights are critical to resupply the ISS. Credit: Ken Kremer […]

SpaceX Dragon Sealed for Earth Return on May 31

30 May , 2012 by Ken Kremer

[/caption] The historic flight of the first private spaceship to ever connect to the International Space Station (ISS) has entered its waning hours and by all accounts it’s been a resounding success thus far ahead of the imminent return trip to Earth. All objectives have been fully accomplished and all that remains is for the […]

Former Astronaut Criticizes NASA’s Current Course

14 May , 2012 by Jason Major

[/caption] Former NASA astronaut Story Musgrave is neither happy nor excited about the current state of the space administration or about the commercial COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) program. He’s not happy, and he’s not afraid to say so. “The whole thing is chaos and a cop out. The whole thing is a Washington failure,” […]

SpaceX Dragon Launch Slides to May 19

8 May , 2012 by Ken Kremer

[/caption]SpaceX has announced that the upcoming launch of the firms Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft on the commercial COTS 2 mission has been postponed to a new target date of no earlier than May 19 with a backup launch date of May 22. On May 19, the Falcon 9 rocket would lift off on its […]

SpaceX Falcon 9 Set for Critical Engine Test Firing on Monday, April 30

30 Apr , 2012 by Ken Kremer

[/caption] On Monday, April 30, SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies) is all set to conduct a critical static engine test fire of the Falcon 9 rocket at the firm’s launch pad on Cape Canaveral, Florida. If all goes well, SpaceX and NASA are targeting a May 7 liftoff of the rocket and Dragon spacecraft at 9:38 […]

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